Al J. Turgeon, Ph.D.

Responsibilities and Interests

My specific research interests encompass turfgrass morphogenesis, edaphology and management systems. Additionally, I am interested in the development and assessment of computer-based instructional learning resources for use in resident and distance educational programs.

I continue to teach on-line courses in the Turfgrass Management Programs offered through the Penn State World Campus.

Professional Background

• 2012–Present, The Pennsylvania State University, Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Management
• 2001–2002, The Pennsylvania State University, Interim Head of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.
• 1986–2012, The Pennsylvania State University, Professor of Turfgrass Management
• 1986–1994, The Pennsylvania State University, Head of the Department of Agronomy
• 1983–1986, Tru Green Corporation, Vice President for Research and Technical Services
• 1980–1983, Texas A&M Center at Dallas, Professor and Resident Director of Research
• 1971–1979, University of Illinois, Assistant Professor to Associate Professor
• 1968–1971, Michigan State University, Graduate Research Assistant
• 1965–1968, United States Army, Infantry Officer and Helicopter Pilot

Selected Publications

1. Turgeon, A. J., L. B. McCarty, and N. Christians. 2008. Weed Control in Turf and Ornamentals. Pearson Prentice Hall Publishers, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 300 pages.

    

2. Turgeon, A.J. Urban, Suburban, and Rural Amenities of Grass. Submitted on June 12^th in response to an invitation to contribute to the 2008 Yearbook of Agriculture, which will focus on grass.
3. Turgeon, A. J. 2008. Turfgrass Management, 8th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 436 pages.

4. Dai, Jing and .J. Turgeon. 2008. Loop-Imbedded (Non-Linear) Turfgrass Modules for a Diverse Student Population. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 37:63.68.

5. Choi, I., S.M. Land, and A.J. Turgeon. 2008. Instructor Modeling and Online Question Prompts for Supporting Peer-Questioning during Online Discussion.  Journal of Educational Technology Systems 36:255-275.

6. Turgeon, A.J. 2008. Addressing problems encountered in case-based teaching. CAS News 53(4): 34–35.
7. Turgeon, A.J. 2008. Developing online instructional modules for a diverse student population. ACTA Horticulturae 783:583–588.
8. Turgeon, A.J. 2007. Addressing problems encountered in case-based teaching. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 36:134–138.
9. Turgeon, A.J. 2007. Understanding Poa nutrition. Green Master 42(2):36–39.
10. Turgeon, A.J. and J.M. Vargas, Jr. 2005. The Turf Problem Solver: Case Studies and Solutions for Environmental, Cultural, and Pest Problems. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 246 pages.
11. Turgeon, A.J. 2005. Turfgrass Management, Seventh Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. 415 pages.
12. Turgeon, A.J. 2005. A Web-based turfgrass case library for just-in-time learning. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 10:713–717.
13. Pruss, J.A., D. Beegle, A.J. Turgeon, R. Day, and R. Weaver. 2005. Using a Field-Specific Crop Management Database to Determine the Effects of Soil Series, Nitrogen, and Rainfall on Corn Yields. Agronomy Journal 97:113–117.
14. Turgeon, A.J. and Melody M. Thompson. 2004. Comparison of faculty workload in resident and distance environments: the case of a turfgrass management course. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 33:102–105.
15. Turgeon, A.J. 2004. Using computer-based learning resources for teaching over the Internet. Acta Horticulturae 661:543–547.
16. Colaric, S. M., A. J. Turgeon and D. H. Jonassen. 2003. Development of a web-based case library. Journal of Educational Technology Systems 31(1):63–70.
17. Vargas, J. M. and A. J. Turgeon. 2003. Poa Annua: Physiology, Culture, and Control of Annual Bluegrass. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 165 pp.
18. Turgeon, A. J. 2002. Turfgrass Management, Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle Brook, N.J. 400 p.
19. Turgeon, A. J. 2002. Competition between Agrostis stolonifera and Poa annua populations in turfgrass communities. Science and Golf IV: 643–647.
20. Uddin, W. and A. J. Turgeon. 2002. Willow Hollow Golf Course: A Problem-Based Learning Exercise in Gray Leaf Spot (Blast) Disease Management. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 31:136–140.
21. Shoener, Heather A. and A. J. Turgeon. 2001. Web-accessible learning resources: learner-controlled versus instructor-controlled. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 30:9–13.
22. Turgeon, A.J. Turfgrass instruction through the Internet. 2001. International Turfgrass Conference Research Conference Journal 9:104–110.
23. Tan, S. C., A. J. Turgeon and D. H. Jonassen. 2001. Computer-Supported Collaborative Argumentation: An Innovative Approach to Group Problem Solving. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 30:97–103.
24. Turgeon, A.J., D. DiBiase and Gary Miller. 2000. Introducing the Penn State World Campus through certificate programs in turfgrass management and geographic information systems. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks 4(3): Special Issue on Faculty Satisfaction. (http://www.aln.org/alnweb/journal/jaln-vol4issue3.htm).
25. Turgeon, A.J. 1999. Beaver Stadium: A Decision Case in Football Field Management. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
26. Yamamoto, I, A. J. Turgeon and J. M. Duich. 1997. Field emergence of solid matrix seed primed turfgrasses. Crop Science 37: 220–225.
27. Yamamoto, I, A. J. Turgeon and J. M. Duich. 1997. Seedling emergence and growth of solid matrix primed Kentucky bluegrass seed. Crop Science 37: 225–229.
28. Couillard, A., A.J. Turgeon, M.O. Westerhaus and J.S. Shenk. 1997. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for analysis of turf soil profiles. Crop Science 37: 1554–155
29. Couillard, A. and A.J. Turgeon. 1997. Composition of turfgrass thatch. Communications in Soil Science And Plant Analysis 28(13&14): 1199–1207
30. Couillard, A., A.J. Turgeon, and P. E. Rieke. 1997. New insights in thatch biodegradation. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 8:427–435.
31. Couillard, A., A.J. Turgeon, M.O. Westerhaus and J.S. Shenk. 1997. Analysis of soil separates with near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Journal of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy 4:201–212.
32. Turgeon, A. J. 1997. Implications of web-based technology for engaging students in a learning society. Journal of Public Service and Outreach 2(2): 32–37.
33. Couillard, A-A., J. S. Shenk, M. O. Westerhaus and A. J. Turgeon. 1996. Comparison of near infrared spectroscopy and standard analysis of turf soil profiles. In Near Infrared Spectroscopy: The Future Wares (A.M.C. Davis and P. Williams, Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Near Infrared Spectroscopy, Montreal, Canada, August 6–11, 1995. p. 673–676.